Paul Iacono Talks to Seventeen

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The new hit show on MTV The Hard Times of RJ Berger is about a nerdy boy with a "huge" secret! The show, which premiered after the MTV Movie Awards on June 6, stars Paul Iacono as RJ Berger and Jareb Dauplaise who plays his best friend Miles. Seventeen sat down with Paul to hear a little about what viewers can expect to see in the first season of the new show and some funny moments offset!

Seventeen: Tell us about RJ and how you relate to him. Were you ever bullied?
Paul Iacono: I think everyone went through an awkward phase. For me it was when I was in middle school. When you are learning about who you are and going through puberty and stuff, it's rough. I took all those horrible insecurities and fears of self and social acceptance and amplified them for the character.

17: Do you have tips for our readers for how to get through that stuff?
PI: I would say to stop gravitating toward things that other people tell you to like or that you should like and find your own turn-ons and wave your freak flag. Be yourself.

17: How did you prepare for this role?
PI: It was a quick prep. I actually watched a lot of Freaks and Geeks and took a look at the subdued underdog character like Sam Weir, but I think part of his genius was that he was so natural at it.

17: What is the funniest thing that has happened on set? Any embarrassing moments?
PI: RJ inevitably does have some kind of sexual encounter, but it was one of the last days of shooting and I had to wear a nude color banana hammock all day and nothing else. They kept giving me the robe in between takes, but like I said toward the end I was just walking around and bending over and it was basically the tiniest little piece of fabric covering up my sugarlumps.

17: Who have you become closest to in the cast?
PI: I would say that the guys bonded the most. Jayson Blair who plays the jock on the show were actually living together even though we play enemies on the show. The guy who plays my friend Miles on the show is also a great guy. The three of us had a really good dynamic.